Home > Practice Areas

Henderson DUI Charges: Our Legal Services

At Henderson DUI Law Centers, our experienced attorneys are devoted to obtaining successful results for our clients. We offer DUI defense for a variety of issues, including:

•DUI Accidents
•Multiple DUI Offenses
•DMV Hearings
•Field Sobriety Tests
•Blood Alcohol Testing
•DUI Arrests

Our lawyers are equipped with the knowledge and drive to fight your DUI charges throughout every step of the legal process. Don't risk your future, call us today!

Why Hire a Henderson DUI Lawyer?

Most of our clients are good people who find themselves in bad situations. We believe it is our duty to prove our clients' innocence and help them work through the legal issues in a timely and effective manner. At DUI Law Centers of Henderson, our DUI attorneys have extensive experience and training in Nevada DUI law, and use our expertise to obtain the best results possible for our clients. With an experienced DUI attorney from our firm on your side, you will be sure to get the service and dedication you demand.

Remember, your case is extremely important to us. You will meet and speak with Henderson NV lawyers, not just staff members. Furthermore, each and every client receives the personalized attention and dedicated legal care they deserve. Our website has a wealth of information about DUI, so please feel free to browse around and learn more about the process. Then call us to protect your rights!

DUI - The legalities...

Law enforcement officers have the right to pull over any driver they suspect is driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. It is illegal under Nevada state law to drive a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level that exceeds the 0.08% legal limit. When BAC levels reach 0.08% or higher, a person's physical and mental capabilities are impaired, decreasing his/her level alertness and ability to concentrate. Any individual that is found driving with a BAC over 0.08% will be arrested and charged with DUI.

There are a number of steps law enforcement will take to determine if a driver is intoxicated beyond the legal limit. Most officers will look for general signs that alcohol or drug use has occurred, including slurred speech, blood shot eyes, disheveled appearance, open containers of alcohol, alcohol on the breath, and loud behavior. In addition, law enforcement officers almost always require drivers to perform standard field sobriety tests, which challenge the driver's mind-body coordination. After the driver has performed those tests, law enforcement will typically test the driver's blood or breath to get a more accurate reading of the amount of alcohol or drugs in the body.

Because driving under the influence increases the chances of causing an accident, injury, or death, judges and prosecutors seek harsh punishments for DUI offenders. Individuals convicted of DUI face multiple legal penalties, including monetary fines, probation, jail, rehabilitation, community service, driver's license suspension, and a mark on their permanent record. If you have been charged with a DUI, it is important to hire an experienced DUI attorney. At DUI Law Centers, our skilled attorneys can protect your rights and make sure you receive the legal justice you are entitled to.

DUI laws can be very complex, and the attention and guidance of an experienced attorney can drastically improve your chances in a court of law. At DUI Law Centers, our Henderson DUI attorneys have successfully defended many clients charged with a DUI. When we commit to a case, we conduct our own investigation, interview eye witnesses, negotiate with prosecutors, and challenge evidence brought against our clients. Furthermore, we keep all of our clients up-to-date by providing them with viable options, multiple resources, frequent communication and compassionate care.

Henderson Nevada DUI Penalties

Although the penalties for drunk driving in Nevada are fairly standardized, they become much harsher if the person (a) has prior convictions for DUI within the last 7 years, or (b) causes an accident that injures or kills another party. The court can also order additional alcohol treatment for an offender whose blood alcohol level measured .18 or greater.

If you face DUI charges in Las Vegas or Henderson NV, be sure to consult with an experienced DUI attorney before going to court and pleading guilty. Depending on the facts of your case, it may be possible to get the drunk driving charges reduced or dismissed.

The typical penalties for DUI in Nevada range from 3-6 months probation to 20 years in Nevada Prison. If you have been arrested for a DUI offense, contact the DUI Law Centers immediately at (702)897-2829.

Field Sobriety Test Information

Field Sobriety Tests in Henderson, Nevada.
When the police suspect an individual has been driving under the influence, they will ask him/her to perform a series of standard tests, also called field sobriety tests. Field sobriety tests help police officers determine a driver's level of intoxication by challenging his/her physical and mental coordination and ability to follow instructions. They are also used to establish a probable cause of arrest.

The three standardized field sobriety tests used by police officers are:

•The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN): HGN refers to the involuntary jerking of the eyeball. When a person is intoxicated, it is believed that his/her eyes are more likely to twitch. During the HGN test, the police officer will hold an object in front of the driver and ask him/her to follow the object with his/her eyes. If the driver cannot follow the object, or if his/her eyes start twitching, then it is taken as a sign of intoxication. (However, it is important to note that Nystagmus is medical and physiological condition that is common in a large amount of people, even when they are sober)

•The One-Leg Test: the driver stands on one foot and raises the other leg six inches off the ground while counting out loud. The driver is expected to stand on one foot without raising his/her arms, losing balance, wobbling, hopping around, or putting the lifted leg down.

•The Walk and Turn Test: the driver takes nine steps in a straight line touching heel to toe, stops, and then repeats the action in the other direction
In addition to these DUI tests, police officers may require drivers to perform additional tests, including:

•Finger to nose test
•Reciting the alphabet
•Counting backwards
•Balancing tests

If you were arrested after performing a field sobriety test, it is important to contact an experienced Henderson DUI Attorney immediately. Most police officers have already decided to arrest you at this point, and are now just looking for additional evidence to use against you in court. Many attorneys believe field sobriety tests can be inaccurate, subjective, and designed for failure. There are many factors that can cause people to appear intoxicated, such as nervousness, age, lack of natural coordination, lack of proper instruction, weather, fatigue, illness, physical problems, disabilities, injuries, car headlights, weight, footwear, intimidation, and traffic distractions.

Contact our Henderson DUI Attorneys if you have been arrested and charged for DUI, and you performed one or more field sobriety tests, it is important to hire an experienced DUI lawyer to investigate your case and represent you in court. At DUI Law Centers, we use our expertise to fight the charges brought against our clients and protect their rights. We question the arresting officer's ability to properly conduct a field sobriety test, and make sure the officer did not violate our clients' rights during the arrest. In addition, at DUI Law Centers, our Henderson DUI lawyers are dedicated to providing each client with personalized attention, viable options, and aggressive DUI defense.

If you have been arrested for a DUI offense, contact the DUI attorneys of DUI Law Centers immediately at (702) 897-2829.

Non-Nevada Residents who get a DUI in Nevada

Felony DUI Defense Lawyers in Las Vegas, NV
Many people from out of state drive to Las Vegas for conventions, recreation and for weekend getaways. Many of these people drink while they are here. Unfortunately, some of them get arrested on Las Vegas Nevada DUI charges.

Our Las Vegas DUI Attorneys represent many non-Nevada residents who find themselves in this situation. In each case, our goal is (1) to keep the drunk driving charges off your record and (2) to prevent a license suspension that could affect your driving privileges back in your home state. We included this page in our website to explain the process and address many of your questions and concerns.

Will I have to Return to Las Vegas for My DUI Court Date?
Probably not. Most first and second offense DUI charges are misdemeanors. Under Nevada DUI law, your attorney may appear in court on your behalf in misdemeanor DUI (as opposed to felony DUI) cases.

Your Las Vegas DUI lawyer can make the court appearances, conduct the Nevada DMV hearing, collect the evidence, develop defenses to the case, run motions before the judge, and negotiate the case with the prosecutor in an attempt to get the charges reduced or dismissed.

If there is some sort of plea bargain reached, this can be executed by paperwork sent through the mail. You will probably only have to return to Las Vegas for court only if the DUI case proceeds to jury trial.

Do I Need an Attorney?
A person charged with misdemeanor DUI in Nevada is not required to have an attorney. You can go to court and represent yourself before the judge, or ask the court to appoint a public defender (if you qualify financially).

But if you don't have a private Las Vegas DUI attorney, you face two disadvantages. First, you will have to appear personally for the first court date, and any subsequent court hearings. Second, and most importantly, your chances of successfully fighting the case are very low without the help of an experienced Las Vegas DUI lawyer who knows drunk driving law and the local court system.

What if No One Shows Up to Court on My Behalf?
If neither you nor a Nevada DUI attorney acting on your behalf shows up for the court date, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. Local authorities in your home state may arrest you and extradite you back to Las Vegas to face the charges. At that point, the judge may impose bail or just hold you in custody until the DUI case is resolved. Simply ignoring the court proceedings is a very bad idea.

If My Drivers License Gets Suspended in Nevada, How Will That Affect My Driving Privileges in My Home State?
The state of Nevada lacks jurisdiction to suspend drivers licenses issued by other states. An out-of-state license holder who suffers a Nevada DUI conviction (or loses his DMV hearing) will simply see a suspension of his or her privilege to drive here in Nevada. However, the Nevada DMV will also report the local suspension to the DMV or Department of Transportation of his home state.

By virtue of an agreement among the states called the interstate compact, the person's home state will most likely honor Nevada's suspension. For example, suppose a California resident suffers a Las Vegas DUI conviction and therefore a 90-day suspension of his Nevada driving privileges. The Nevada DMV will notify the California DMV of its action. California will then most likely impose a suspension of the person's California license.

Do I Have to Return to Las Vegas to Meet With or Retain a DUI Attorney?
No. Our Las Vegas DUI Lawyers conduct phone consultations for individuals who were arrested here on drunk driving charges. We can discuss the specifics of your case, and advise you about possible defenses and the best way to proceed. If you decide to hire our Las Vegas DUI law firm to represent you, we will e-mail you a retainer agreement. You can sign the paperwork and either email or fax it back to us. Our Nevada DUI lawyers then handle the entire case from there.

Once we obtain the police reports, lab reports and other documentation in the case, we can e-mail it you for your review. We then set phone meetings to discuss the reports together and plan case strategy.